Page 29 of The Texas Hero's Homecoming

“We could be. We work well together. And you haven’t gotten mad at me all day.”

She glanced at her watch. “We’ve only been together an hour and a half.”

“It’s a record,” he said, grinning.

“Oh, you!” She bunched up a napkin and tossed it at him. He was too fast for her, he caught it in midair. His eyes twinkled and she found the tiny laugh lines around his eyes irresistible.

She needed a change of subject, fast. “Speaking of ideas, you told Taylor you had a plan for the festival. Do you mind telling me what that is?”

“I can’t say right now. But you’ll know soon enough.”

Her brows gathered. “Why can’t you tell me now?”

“I’d rather not. And that’s all I’m going to say.” He picked up his mug and sipped, then took another bite of his maple bar.

“I don’t get why you’re so cryptic all of the time.”

“I’m never cryptic, Autumn.” He pointed to her maple bar. “Are you gonna finish that? Because if you’re not…” He reached over the table for it and she slapped his hand away.

“Hey, lay off the good stuff.”

“I’m trying to, Autumn,” he rasped in a serious tone. “It’s just… it’s just that sweet maple bar is mighty tempting.”

She stared at him. Was that what he was really going to say? Or did he trip up and have to cover for it?

“Sam?” She blinked her eyes several times, trying to comprehend.

Immediately, he took out his wallet and picked up the check. “We’d better get going. Rusty’s garage will be closing up soon. And you need to get your car.”

She sighed. “Right. I was thinking the same thing.”

She finished her latte in big gulps and scarfed down the rest of her doughnut, still slightly buzzing from Sam’s innuendo, the admission that seemed cryptic and revealing all at the same time.

*

“Did you getthe flyers all put around,mi hija bonita?” her papa asked.

“Si, Papa. I did it after school.” Autumn ladled a serving of hot chicken soup into a big bowl and put it on the table in front of her father. “We should be all set with advertising the festival. Most folks around here look forward to it. So, weather holding, we should have a good turnout for the weekend. Now, it’s just a matter of pulling it all together. We have much to do.” She dished up a bowl of soup for herself and took it over to the table.

“Sam will get it done.”

She sat down facing him. “Papa, you have so much faith in him. Why?”

“Why not? He’s a soldier, just like Joe. He knows how to make things happen. He gave his word and I believe him.”

“He’s not a soldier anymore, Papa.”

“Si, that’s true, not anymore. But he’s got the soldier’s mentality to get it done. Wherever he goes, that boy will land on his feet.”

“Goes? Is he going somewhere?” The thought of Sam leaving town made her stomach twitch.

Sure, she wanted him gone from her life so she could move on, but he’d just returned to Last Stand. Would he be leaving soon after Nicole’s wedding?

“Might be. He’s mentioned Dallas a few times. Has friends there. But I don’t think he wants to leave Last Stand just yet.”

“Why do you say that?”

Her papa got a twinkle in his eye. “Let’s just say it’s your father’s intuition.”

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